According to Conde Nast’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards, Kenya has been named the friendliest country for travellers in 2025.
The awards were based on a survey where readers shared their experiences, highlighting which countries offer the warmest welcomes and the best company.
While travellers often seek dreamy beaches, delicious cuisine, luxurious hotels and breathtaking landscapes, the importance of a friendly smile or a simple greeting cannot be overstated.
As noted in the publication, “The ‘Big Five’ usually take centre stage here, but behind each lovely safari experience, there’s a whole host of even lovelier guides who make visitors completely at ease, even when metres away from a prowling lion.”
Here is the full list of the friendliest countries to visit in 2025, as voted by readers and travellers:
Kenya
Located in East Africa, Kenya boasts a stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean, diverse savannahs, picturesque lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley, and majestic mountain highlands.
It is home to iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants and rhinos.
From the capital city, Nairobi, safaris explore the Maasai Mara Reserve, famous for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, which offers breathtaking views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Barbados
This eastern Caribbean island is an independent British Commonwealth nation.
Bridgetown, the capital, serves as a cruise-ship port with colonial architecture and the historic Nidhe Israel synagogue, founded in 1654.
The island features beautiful beaches, lush botanical gardens, the stunning Harrison’s Cave, and 17th-century plantation houses like St. Nicholas Abbey.
Local traditions such as afternoon tea and cricket, the national sport, add to its charm.
Mexico
Mexico’s rich culture is a vibrant blend of indigenous traditions and Spanish influences, offering unique experiences for every visitor.
Imagine exploring the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán State, a Unesco World Heritage site, where the echoes of the Maya civilisation can still be felt.
Bhutan
Nestled on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, Bhutan is renowned for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs), and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.
The High Himalayas feature peaks like the 7,326m Jomolhari, popular among trekkers. The Paro Taktsang monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley.
Cambodia
This Southeast Asian nation is characterised by its diverse landscape, which includes low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains, and a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand.
Phnom Penh, the capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, the glittering Royal Palace, and the National Museum, showcasing historical and archaeological exhibits.
The northwest region features the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.
Vietnam
Known for its stunning beaches, winding rivers, Buddhist pagodas, and bustling cities, Vietnam offers a rich cultural experience.
Hanoi, the capital, honours the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, with a grand marble mausoleum.
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is filled with French colonial landmarks, Vietnamese War history museums, and the Củ Chi tunnels used by Viet Cong soldiers.
Chile
Stretching along South America’s western edge, Chile is a long, narrow country with over 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline.
Santiago, its capital, is situated in a valley surrounded by the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range.
The city’s palm-lined Plaza de Armas features a neoclassical cathedral and the National History Museum, while the expansive Parque Metropolitano offers swimming pools, a botanical garden, and a zoo.
Mauritius
Officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, this island nation lies in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of Africa, east of Madagascar.
The country includes the main island, as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon.
With its white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, lush vegetation, and rich cultural heritage, Mauritius offers an abundance of activities to keep visitors entertained.
Seychelles
An archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa, Seychelles is home to numerous beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves, as well as rare species like the giant Aldabra tortoise.
Mahé, the largest island, serves as a hub for visiting the other islands and features the capital, Victoria.
The island is also known for the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and stunning beaches like Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.
Thailand
Renowned for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples, Thailand is a Southeast Asian gem.
Bangkok, the capital, showcases an ultramodern cityscape alongside tranquil canalside communities and iconic temples such as Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew).
Nearby beach resorts like bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin offer additional attractions for visitors.
